Cucumber Crunch Pasta Salad (Printable version)

A crisp and creamy pasta salad with cucumbers, fresh dill, and zesty everything bagel seasoning. Ideal for warm-weather entertaining.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 8 oz small shell pasta
02 - 1 teaspoon salt for pasta water

→ Vegetables

03 - 2 cups diced cucumber, about 1 large English cucumber
04 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced

→ Fresh Herbs

05 - 2 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped

→ Dressing

06 - 1/2 cup sour cream
07 - 1/4 cup mayonnaise
08 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
09 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
10 - 1 garlic clove, minced
11 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
12 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

→ Seasoning

13 - 1 1/2 tablespoons everything bagel seasoning

# How To Make:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the small shell pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain in a colander and rinse under cold water until completely cooled.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until the mixture reaches a smooth consistency.
03 - Add the cooled pasta, diced cucumber, sliced green onions, and fresh dill to the dressing. Gently toss until all components are evenly coated.
04 - Sprinkle the everything bagel seasoning over the salad and fold gently until the seasoning is distributed throughout.
05 - Taste the salad and adjust seasoning as needed. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and develop.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The creamy dressing clings perfectly to every shell so no bite is bland
  • Everything bagel seasoning makes this feel like a smart discovery rather than just another pasta salad
02 -
  • Rinsing the pasta until it is completely cold prevents the dressing from turning into a weird thin sauce
  • Letting it chill for at least 30 minutes lets the flavors meld together and the seasoning really settle into the pasta
03 -
  • Chop your cucumber into small dice so every forkful gets crunch without huge pieces overwhelming the pasta
  • Toast the everything bagel seasoning in a dry pan for 2 minutes before adding it for extra flavor
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